Verity Updates Tradition with Meetings and a Spa Under One Roof

A 160-year-old former chocolate factory is home to what would seem like an old boys' club—except it is full of women.

A Look Inside Women-Only Club Verity

A 160-year-old former chocolate factory is home to what would seem like an old boys' club—except it is full of women. Aaron Vincent Elkaim for The Wall Street Journal

Verity is one of a small number of women-only clubs. It counts among its 800-plus members some of Toronto's top lawyers, executives and entrepreneurs.

It provides what many women say the traditional office does not: a chance to network and participate in mentoring and other programs. In addition to features more typical of a men's club such as meeting rooms, a top-rated chef and a gym, it also offers manicures, a hairstyling station and a florist. Indeed, Verity has an unabashedly feminine ambience from jewel-toned flocked wallpaper, pink settees and lots of flowers.

Several big companies sponsor memberships for their Toronto-based employees, including four big Canadian banks and professional-services firm Deloitte LLP. It costs 9,500 Canadian dollars (US$8,968) to join and another C$2,850 in annual dues. Membership has grown from 150 founding members a decade ago.

ENLARGE

Helen Sinclair, far left, has breakfast with Georgina Steinsky-Schwartz at Verity, where decor mixes the building's original life as a chocolate factory with its current role as a club for women.
Aaron Vincent Elkaim for The Wall Street Journal

Members say one of the club's big attractions is a peer-mentoring program, which typically groups eight members with a facilitator for regular talks on professional development and business practices. Participants sign confidentiality agreements and make a one-year commitment. There are currently 31 such groups.

Verity attracts women by offering a lot of features under one roof, an attraction because "women are time-starved," says Verity founder Mary Aitken. In addition to its spaces for members only, it also has a popular restaurant called George, a spa and a boutique hotel that are open to members and nonmembers.

In the U.S., there are rarefied women's networking groups and a few old-line social clubs, but few achieve the clout to be a big part of the business conversation in their hometown.

Women are a minority in senior positions in business in Canada, in similar numbers to the U.S., says Deborah Gillis, chief operating officer at Catalyst, a New York-based nonprofit group that collects data on women in business. Ms. Gillis, herself a Verity member, theorizes that Verity's position in Toronto reflects the more concentrated size of corporate Toronto, which makes it more difficult for women to penetrate but conversely may make it easier to foster a club. Other members say Verity's existence is due to Ms. Aitken, who made a substantial investment in the business and is a constant presence at the club. Ms. Aitken credits word-of-mouth and the diversity of the club's initial members.

ENLARGE

Brooke Hunter gets her makeup done at the spa at Verity.
Aaron Vincent Elkaim for The Wall Street Journal

Verity says there have been no challenges to its women-only status. Same-sex clubs are permitted in Ontario under an exemption from rules governing discrimination.

Karen Jones, president of the Professional Women's Club of Chicago, which has 275 members, says many in her networking group already serve on corporate boards. By being part of a women's group, "you have someone in your Rolodex that you can turn to," says Ms. Jones, a senior vice president with Bank of America'sBAC-1.38% U.S. Trust unit.

"If you need a lawyer or you need an accountant, you can look to the directory and at least meet the people on the spot. And you have some sense that there must be some affinity" since they too belong to the club, says Georgina Steinsky-Schwartz, a Verity member whose career has spanned the private, public and nonprofit sectors.

"It's to recognize them and give them further opportunities for development," Ms. Albiston says. The Deloitte employees are expected to take part in Verity's peer-mentoring program, since "that's the feature of the club that provides the most direct link to development."

One recent day at lunch time in Toronto, the Verity members' lounge was full and most meeting rooms were occupied, and there were plenty of men in sight. Men can access most parts of the club as long as they have been signed in by a member. Members say many men are intrigued by the club and ask to be invited.

"Women, they want to be in an atmosphere that's comfortable, and that's relaxing, and that's not necessarily all about 'OK, here's my business card, here's my business card,' " says Jamie Keenan, a Verity member.

Women-only clubs don't replace networking with men, which many high-performing women say they already have ample opportunity to do.

Ms. Keenan, 32 years old, is a busy mom who joined Verity in her 20s when she was contemplating switching jobs to be a financial adviser after working in corporate sponsorships at a bank. She made the change and uses the club four to five times a week to meet clients, work and exercise.

When she initially joined Verity's peer-mentoring program it was for guidance and career-coaching, she says.

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